Intubation devices, systems, and methods in which the risk of leakage of nasopharyngeal secretions, esophageal reflux, and blood is reduced, or eliminated, by means of a backflow pressure gradient that is independent of PEEP. Contemplated configurations include (a) a flexible tube for the controlled delivery of air and other gases to the lungs, (b) distal and proximal inflatable seals that can close the annular space surrounding the tube, (c) means to inflate the seals, and (d) means to deliver gas under pressure to the annular chamber in between the two seals. Further configurations further comprise a processor and sensors, and methods are provided for automated backflow of contaminated fluids.

Tube systems may include a tube with an inflatable balloon that is affixed to, and circumferentially surrounding an exterior portion of the tube. The inflatable balloon may be positioned between the first open end and the second open end of the tube. The tube may be flexible and hollow and may have a first open end and a second open end. The tube may include a suction line, a suction line port, and a spacer that extends from an exterior surface of the tube and is positioned proximate to the suction line port. The spacer may be configured to prevent occlusion of the suction line port.

A laryngeal tube with a self-sealing valve, a pilot balloon, a cuff inflation line, a suction port, and a radiopaque cover. The laryngeal tube further includes a proximal cuff for securing a pharyngal area of a patient and a distal cuff for preventing oxygen escape into a stomach of the patient. The laryngeal tube further includes a suction lumen configured to reduce a risk of aspiration in a trachea of the patient and a pharyngal lumen configured to provide ventilation capacities. The self-sealing valve surrounds a periphery of the cuff inflation line. The suction port, the cuff inflation line, the self-sealing valve, and the pilot balloon all extend through an interior of the radiopaque cover, which connects the pharyngal lumen to the proximal cuff.

A method for cerebral cooling is described using a cooling assembly, which includes first and second elongate tubular members adapted for insertion into a nasal cavity of a patient through the patient's nostrils. The elongate tubular members each have a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therebetween, and a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the lumen. The cooling assembly also includes a manifold and a reservoir, which contains a pressurized fluid that includes a propellant having a boiling point less than 22 C. The elongate tubular members are inserted into the nasal cavity through the patient's nostrils and pressurized fluid is delivered onto a surface of the nasal cavity by infusing the pressurized fluid from the reservoir through the manifold, into the lumens and through the plurality of ports of the first and second elongate tubular members.

Systems and devices for monitoring, detecting, and removing fluid build-up found at various regions along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient. The fluid management system includes pressure and flow sensors for detecting whether there is fluid at the various regions along the tracheal tube, and a means for drawing out the fluid into collection jars. The system also includes lavage features that is able to rinse different the various regions along a tracheal tube. Also disclosed are respiration insertion devices that either couple to existing tracheal tubes or incorporate tracheal tubing, where the respiration insertion body has channels and ports that contact various regions along the tracheal tube. The combination of the fluid management system and the respiration insertion devices effectively monitor and remove fluid at various locations along a tracheal tube of an intubated patient.

Endotracheal tubes with balloons (cuffed) deform the circulation of air by applying pressure on the walls of the trachea and cause numerous complications. In the endotracheal tube analyzed in the invention, the valve system in the form of flexible membrane is used instead of balloons, during each expiration, the pressure on the trachea wall is decreased and the disorder of getting blood occurring in the mucosa of the trachea was prevented. Moreover, the leaking of the liquid contents coming from in-mouth and stomach into the lungs and the formation of bacteria and the risk of infection was decreased through ventilating the trachea in a more physiological manner.

A tracheal tube apparatus includes a cannula having first and second ends. An inflatable cuff is formed on the cannula between the first and second ends. A conduit extends from the cuff for introducing an inflating fluid into the cuff when it is desired to inflate the cuff and removing inflating fluid from the cuff when it is desired to deflate the cuff. A gauge for indicating the inflation pressure of the cuff is coupled in the conduit.

A device and method for removing material from inside a tube is provided, comprising a catheter having a tubular body and defining an inner lumen, the distal end portion of the tubular body defining a distal opening and apertures on a sidewall. An expandable member is attached to the distal end portion of the catheter tubular body distal to the one or more apertures. The expandable member is capable of having a first unexpanded condition such that the distal opening is open to allow fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, and a second expanded condition such that the distal opening is occluded to prevent fluid communication with the inner lumen of the catheter through said distal opening, the second expanded condition of the expandable member having a maximum transverse diameter larger than a diameter of the tubular body proximal to the expandable member.

A method for the management of secretions in an intubated patient by means of an endotracheal tube to which an inflatable cuff is externally associated, includes the steps of inflating the inflatable cuff for isolating the broncho-pulmonary zone of the patient from the external environment, generating a succession of overpressures inside the endotracheal tube in order to induce breathing in the patient, and a step of deflating the inflatable cuff during the generation of one of the overpressures in order to permit a drainage of the secretions generated by the patient along the trachea towards the outside.

Provided is an endotracheal tube, which comprises a baffle, an endotracheal tube body and a pharyngeal suction catheter and is integrally formed. The pharyngeal suction catheter is fixedly connected with an outer wall of the endotracheal tube body. One end of the pharyngeal suction catheter is bent to form a front bent portion, a port of the front bent portion is closed and a side wall of the front bent portion is provided with two suction ports. In the case of oral endotracheal intubation, the pharyngeal suction catheter is introduced to the bottom of the pharynx as the endotracheal tube body is inserted into the weasand, and the pharyngeal suction catheter can stay there for a long period of time, enabling high efficiency of removal of pharyngeal secretions, the reduction of discomfort and adsorption injury of the patient, and the reduction of nursing workload.